Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents (ICS-300) Training
January 22-24, 2024
KYEM Emergency Operation Center, Frankfort, KY
This 3-day course serves as training for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS).
Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents (ICS-300) is a vital component of emergency management and response training, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the ICS structure and principles. ICS-300 is intended to serve as a vehicle to share proven incident management strategies and practices as well as to enhance teamwork and coordination among the agency’s mid-level managers and command staff directly responsible for emergency response to incidents of all types in which the Incident Command System (ICS) will be employed. The course utilizes scenarios and exercises to highlight key issues and facilitate discussion.
Throughout this course all attendees learned how the National Incident Management System Command and Management component supports the management of expanding incidents, how the Incident/Event Management process for supervisors and expanding incidents works as prescribed by the ICS, and the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective ICS in expanding incidents.
“The information presented in the ICS 300 class gives students the framework necessary to manage a wide variety of incidents. From the single company fire response to widespread environmental disasters.” – Shane Poynter, Battalion Chief, Lexington (KY) Fire Department
ICS-300 promotes interoperability among various agencies and organizations involved in emergency response. Emergencies often require collaboration between different entities. Understanding the common language and structure provided by ICS facilitates seamless communication and cooperation.
ICS-300 emphasizes the importance of scalability in incident management. Participants learned how to adapt the ICS structure to different sizes and types of incidents, ensuring a flexible response system. This scalability is essential as emergencies vary in scope and complexity, and the ability to adjust the organizational structure accordingly allows for a more tailored and efficient response.
ICS-300 offers a range of benefits, including improved organizational efficiency, enhanced interoperability, scalability, leadership development, risk management, and adherence to national standards. These advantages make it an invaluable training program for individuals involved in emergency response and contribute to the overall resilience of communities in the face of diverse and complex incidents.
Twenty-one attendees from thirteen different responder agencies in Kentucky completed the three-day course which was broken down into eight units and included multiple activities throughout.
“The instructor was very knowledgeable of the material and the delivery of this class.” – Larry Karsner, Emergency Management Director, Owen County
All attendees were required to successfully complete the following prerequisites before being admitted into this course:
• IS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command System;
• IS-200, Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response;
• IS-700, National Incident Management System, An Introduction; and
• IS-800, National Response Framework, An Introduction
All students had to successfully complete a final exam and score 75% or better to receive a certificate. All students were given multiple job aids, checklists, and reference guides for future use. Kentucky Responder Agency participants included:
• Bath County Emergency Management
• Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)
• Civil Air Patrol
• CSX Transportation
• Fern Creek Fire Department – Louisville
• Kentucky Army National Guard (KYNG)
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture
• Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM)
• Lexington Fire Department
• Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
• Owen County Emergency Management
• Scott County Emergency Management
• University of Kentucky